The ACT Government is joining the national Drive with Heart awareness campaign during International Assistance Dog Week, reminding the community, taxi drivers and rideshare operators that assistance animals are welcome in every ride.
Assistance animals play an important role in supporting people with disability and medical conditions, and they have a legal right to access transport services safely, respectfully and without discrimination.
"Assistance animals are working animals that help people participate in daily life, access essential services and travel independently," said Domestic Animals Registrar Matthew Kamarul.
"They are a vital support for their handlers, and they have a legal right to accompany them in taxis, rideshare vehicles and other public places across the ACT."
Under Commonwealth Disability Discrimination law, assistance animals can accompany their handlers in public places that are ordinarily open to the public, including public transport, taxis, rideshare vehicles, cafes, restaurants, shopping centres, hotels, hospitals and entertainment venues.
Taxi and rideshare drivers are required to transport assistance animals together with their handlers. Refusing a passenger because they are travelling with an assistance animal is unlawful and may result in enforcement action under ACT legislation.
"Assistance animal handlers aren't required to show ID or registration, and special coats or harnesses are optional," said Matthew Kamarul.
The ACT Government is encouraging all transport providers and members of the community to support a more inclusive transport network by understanding and respecting the rights of assistance animal handlers.
